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Deadline has reported that there is a new DC film project in the works over at Warner Brothers. A new Joker origin film with such heavy hitter names as Martin Scorsese, Todd Phillips, and Scott Silver attached.

Joker Origin Film

Left to Right: Martin Scorsese, Todd Phillips, Scott Silver

Martin Scorsese and Todd Phillips will be co-producing. Todd will be pulling triple duty directing the film, and co-writing along with Scott Silver. In the Deadline article it was reported the origin would be a different telling of any seen before. Saying about the setting of the film “The intention is to make a gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime film set in early-’80s Gotham City.” This is prime territory for Scorsese, and Silver has already handled gritty films with writing credits including 8 Mile and The Fighter. Most may look at this, and judging on Todd Phillips pedigree – The Hangover Trilogy, Old School, Due Date – feel like this is entirely out of place for him – if you have not seen Todd’s most recent film War Dogs. Now would be the time to fix that. The film shows that Todd can direct more adult themes that deal with a gritty nature.

The film is the first film under a new banner of films for Warner Bros and DC. The plan is to use this alternate line to be able to expand on the canon of established characters. While not being locked into one actor, but giving the opportunity for others to take on the guises of these characters while telling different stories. That being said it seems highly unlikely that Jared Leto will be playing the joker in this one. I for one say “THANK GOD!!!” Leto is an accomplished actor, but I don’t want to see him portraying the clown prince of crime anymore. Alas we shall see him as the Joker again for the Suicide Squad sequel and Harley Quinn spin-off.

Still hoping this was just a clever ruse.

Time for the punchline

In an era where we get one origin story after another, arguably this can be considered a bad move. I however think this is inspired thinking out of the box. The DC universe of comics has many different stories and alternate dimensions. Just ask Barry Allen about that. Included in all these stories is the elseworlds comics. Comics that basically said what if? They couldn’t actually say what if because Marvel already took that with their comics. Based off assumptions of having movies that will take place out of the core DCEU films, at this point they may as well just call the new film banner Elseworlds. Throwing another bone to the true comic book fans.

The only falter I find in what we have heard is calling this a Joker origin story. I’m sure by films end whatever actor is playing the titular character will be in some form of Joker makeup. However I feel this will be more of a crime-noir film using the Joker namesake. To further explain I think about 70-90 percent of the film will be a man’s rise in crime. Until the final act where the character some how becomes the Joker. Leaving us with not much of a Joker film, but a hoodlum that moves up the ranks becoming what would be the Joker from circumstance. Just imagine if Tony Montana didn’t die at the end of Scarface, but instead becomes the Joker. Yes that movie sounds awesome, but doesn’t scream Joker origin film to me.

These are my opinions. What are your thoughts? Are you excited for this or dreading it? Who should play the Joker in this story form? What do you think will happen in the story? Let us know in the comments below.

One thought on “No Laughs About it, New Joker Origin Film in the Works”

Wolverine had no origin until the year 2000. Seriously. All we (and he!) knew about the ol’ canucklehead was that most of his history kept being revealed to be a lie. And that lie revealed to be a lie, then that lie to be a lie, then THAT lie to be a lie, and so on, until the story truly began in Wolverine: Origin. We the fans ate up this mystery for twenty-six years, wondering “What could the true story of this desperate man, this killer turned hero, BE?” It was delicious, it was tantalizing, it, just as much as blood and claws, was Wolverine. Now, his story has been told, but in probably the only it could have been acceptable: as a full monthly comic series that ran for years. But imagination ALWAYS paints a more interesting picture than finally being told what the true story is. For centuries, we knew that the sea was where dragons came from. Now that we have sailed all the way across the sea, dragons are dead, and have never existed. The Joker’s story is unknown; perhaps even to the character. If you’re going to tell the answer to one of geekdom’s favorite mysteries after almost a century… Don’t do it in 120-130 minutes, or you kill another dragon.

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